Wireless Tag Apparatus and Related Medication Compliance Monitoring Techniques

ABSTRACT

A wireless tag apparatus and related medication compliance monitoring techniques are disclosed. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a motion detector configured to detect at least one of a movement of and an impact to the apparatus. The apparatus also may include a sensing circuit configured to scan, in response to the detection by the motion detector, a sensor array associated with a medication dispenser external to the apparatus to determine whether contents of at least one medication compartment of the medication dispenser have been expelled. The apparatus further may include a transmitter configured to transmit, in response to the detection by the motion detector, a signal including data pertaining to whether the contents of the at least one medication compartment have been expelled, wherein the signal is a radio frequency signal. In some embodiments, the apparatus may be configured for use, for example, in monitoring medication compliance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a Continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/813,324, filed on Nov. 15, 2017, and titled “Wireless TagApparatus and Related Medication Compliance Monitoring Techniques,”which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/686,916,filed on Apr. 15, 2015, and titled “Wireless Medication ComplianceSensing Device, System, and Related Methods,” which is aContinuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/304,195,filed on Jun. 13, 2014, and titled “Asset Tag Apparatus and RelatedMethods,” which claims the benefit of each of: (1) U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/974,770, filed on Apr. 3, 2014, and titled “Asset TagApparatus and Related Methods”; (2) U.S. Provisional Application No.61/902,325, filed on Nov. 11, 2013, and titled “Bluetooth StockbinIndicator Tag”; (3) U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/902,316, filedon Nov. 11, 2013, and titled “Bluetooth Asset Tag Signpost”; and (4)U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/839,561, filed on Jun. 26, 2013, andtitled “Bluetooth Asset and Sensor Tag.” Furthermore, this patentapplication is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/813,473,filed on Nov. 15, 2017, and titled “Sensor Array, Method of Making Same,and Related Medication Compliance Monitoring Techniques.” Each of thesepatent applications is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is generally related to a sensing, monitoring,and locating device, and more particularly is related to a wirelessmedication compliance sensing device, system, and related methods.

BACKGROUND

Medications used in health care and treatment are often prescribed bymedical professionals with instructions for the patient to take specificdoses of the medication at specific times or intervals. To assist withproper dosage, the medications are often packaged in compartments of ablister package (i.e., a plastic material container comprising a numberof sealable compartments having an open side intended to accommodate adrug dosage). These compartments are covered with a breakable cover. Theblister pack is covered with a single breakable material, such as foil,or individual breakable flaps, in order to obtain a tight closure of thecompartments and secure individual packaging. Generally, thecompartments are arranged as a matrix configuration including a numberof lines and/or columns. Typically, the rows can be times of the day,and the columns can be days of the week or the month.

Ensuring a patient takes the appropriate dose of medication at theinstructed time or interval is often a key aspect to successful medicaltreatment. Some prior art devices provide for monitoring or detection ofthe blister pack to identify when medication is removed from the blisterpack. However, these devices are unable to monitor the blister packfully (e.g., they're unable to monitor each individual medicationcompartment, which medication is taken, at what time, etc.) to ensurethat the proper medication is taken by the patient. Furthermore, theseconventional systems are often cumbersome to use since they requirehardwired power supplies or battery-based power supplies whichfrequently require recharging, and they often require additionalhardware for enabling any communication of the monitored condition ofthe blister pack, among other shortcomings.

Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to addressthe aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

SUMMARY

One example embodiment provides a wireless tag apparatus. The wirelesstag apparatus includes a wireless tag apparatus. The wireless tagapparatus includes a sensing circuit configured to scan a sensor arrayassociated with a medication dispenser external to the wireless tagapparatus to detect a change to an electrical circuitry of the sensorarray corresponding to expulsion of contents of at least one medicationcompartment of the medication dispenser, wherein the change to theelectrical circuitry includes a breakage of an electrically resistiveelement of the sensor array associated with the at least one medicationcompartment. The wireless tag apparatus further includes a transmitterconfigured to transmit a first signal including data pertaining towhether the electrical circuitry of the sensor array has so changed,wherein the first signal is a radio frequency (RF) signal. In somecases, the electrically resistive element includes at least one of acarbon resistor and an electrically resistive ink. In some cases, theelectrically resistive element is disposed over the at least onemedication compartment. In some such instances, the medication dispenserincludes a blister pack. In some cases: the sensing circuit is furtherconfigured to scan the sensor array to determine whether each individualelectrically resistive element of the sensor array is operational; andthe first signal further includes data pertaining to whether eachindividual electrically resistive element is operational. In some cases,the sensing circuit is configured to scan the sensor array at a fixedtime interval. In some cases, the sensing circuit is further configuredto detect when the wireless tag apparatus is operatively coupled withthe sensor array. In some cases, the wireless tag apparatus furtherincludes a timer configured to output a second signal periodically, inresponse to which the sensing circuit scans the sensor array. In somesuch instances, the timer is native to a processing element of thewireless tag apparatus. In some cases, the first signal further includesdata pertaining to at least one of: an identification of the wirelesstag apparatus; whether the wireless tag apparatus is operational;whether the sensor array is operational; whether the wireless tagapparatus and the sensor array are operatively coupled with one another;a size of the sensor array; a power level of a battery of the wirelesstag apparatus; and a signal strength of the first signal. In some cases,the first signal is at least one of a Wi-Fi signal and a Bluetoothsignal. In some such instances, the first signal is of a frequency in anISM band of between 2.4-2.485 GHz. In some cases, the transmitter isconfigured to transmit the first signal at least one of: periodically;after each scan of the sensor array by the sensing circuit; aftermultiple consecutive scans of the sensor array by the sensing circuit;and after detection of the change to the electrical circuitry of thesensor array by the sensing circuit. In some cases, the wireless tagapparatus further includes a sensor configured to detect at least one ofa movement of the wireless tag apparatus and an impact to the wirelesstag apparatus. In some such instances, the sensing circuit is configuredto scan the sensor array: at a first scan rate when the sensor hasdetected the at least one of the movement of the wireless tag apparatusand the impact to the wireless tag apparatus; and at a second scan ratethat is lower than the first scan rate when the sensor has not detectedat least one of the movement of the wireless tag apparatus and theimpact to the wireless tag apparatus. In some cases, the wireless tagapparatus is configured to clip onto at least one of the sensor array,the medication dispenser, and the at least one medication compartment.In some cases, the wireless tag apparatus is configured to slide onto atleast one of the sensor array, the medication dispenser, and the atleast one medication compartment. In some cases, the wireless tagapparatus is configured to operatively interface with a housing of themedication dispenser.

Another example embodiment provides a method of monitoring a medicationdispenser. The method includes scanning a sensor array associated withthe medication dispenser to detect a change to an electrical circuitryof the sensor array corresponding to expulsion of contents of at leastone medication compartment of the medication dispenser, wherein thechange to the electrical circuitry includes a breakage of anelectrically resistive element of the sensor array associated with theat least one medication compartment. The method further includestransmitting a first signal including data pertaining to whether theelectrical circuitry of the sensor array has so changed, wherein thefirst signal is a radio frequency (RF) signal. In some cases: the methodfurther includes scanning the sensor array to determine whether eachindividual resistor of a plurality of resistors of the sensor array isoperational; and the first signal further includes data pertaining towhether each individual resistor of the plurality of resistors isoperational. In some cases, scanning the sensor array occurs at a fixedtime interval. In some cases, the first signal is at least one of aWi-Fi signal and a Bluetooth signal. In some such instances, the firstsignal is of a frequency in an ISM band of between 2.4-2.485 GHz. Insome cases, transmitting the first signal occurs at least one of:periodically; after each scan of the sensor array; after multipleconsecutive scans of the sensor array; and after detection of the changeto the electrical circuitry of the sensor array. In some cases: thescanning is performed utilizing a sensing circuit of a wireless tagapparatus configured to operatively interface with the medicationdispenser; and the transmitting is performed utilizing a transmitter ofthe wireless tag apparatus.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art uponexamination of the following drawings and detailed description. It isintended that all such additional systems, methods, features, andadvantages be included within this description, be within the scope ofthe present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with referenceto the following drawings. The components in the drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in thedrawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a system for wireless medicationcompliance sensing, in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side view schematic illustration of the system for wirelessmedication compliance sensing of FIG. 1, in accordance with the firstexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a top view schematic illustration of the sensor array over anopening in the system for wireless medication compliance sensing of FIG.1, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the sensor array over openings inthe system for wireless medication compliance sensing of FIG. 1, inaccordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an equivalent circuit of thesensor array of FIG. 4, in accordance with the first exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of the sensor array for a housingwith a 3X7 array of medication compartment openings in the system forwireless medication compliance sensing of FIG. 1, in accordance with thefirst exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a schematic of the wireless tag of the system for wirelessmedication compliance sensing, in accordance with the first exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a schematic of the system for wireless medication compliancesensing, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a side-view schematic illustration of the connectable wirelesstag for use with the system for wireless medication compliance sensing,in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 10 is a top view schematic illustration of the connectable wirelesstag for use with the system for wireless medication compliance sensing,in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a method for wirelessly sensing medicationcompliance, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a system for wireless medicationcompliance sensing 10, in accordance with a first exemplary embodimentof the present disclosure. The system for wireless medication compliancesensing 10, which may be referred to simply as ‘system 10,’ includes ahousing 20 having a plurality of medication compartments 22. A breakablesubstrate 30 is positioned on at least one side of the housing 20,wherein the breakable substrate 30 covers an opening 24 to the pluralityof medication compartments 22. A sensor array 40 is positioned on the atleast one side of the housing 20. The sensor array 40 has a plurality ofresistors 42, wherein one of the plurality of resistors 42 is positionedacross one of the openings 24 of the plurality of medicationcompartments 22. A wireless tag 50 is connectable to the sensor array40. The wireless tag 50 has a transmitter 52, an accelerometer 54, and asensing circuit 56, wherein the sensing circuit 56 is adapted to scanthe sensor array 40 upon activation of the accelerometer 54, and whereinthe transmitter 52 transmits a signal 58 having scanned sensor arraydata externally from the wireless tag 50.

This system 10 may provide a convenient way to verify when medication isremoved from a blister pack or similar medication housing, where themedication is stored in a particular arrangement for patient retrieval.The verification of medication compliance is one aspect of improving thehealth, care, and treatment of patients who must take a variety ofmedications periodically. The housing 20 may have a variety of sizes andmay include any number of medication compartments 22 in a variety ofpatterns or arrays. For example, an array of 3×1, 5×1, 3×7, and/or 5×7medication compartments 22 may be used, among other sizes. The number ofmedication compartments 22 may be keyed to the scheduled frequency ofthe patient taking the medication housed therein.

While FIG. 1 does not illustrate the medication, it may be packagedwithin the medication compartments 22 of the housing 20, which togethermay be considered a blister pack, as is known in the art. The medicationcompartments 22 may be formed from molding or otherwise creatingindividual compartments within a single plastic sheet or a sheet madefrom another material. Each of the medication compartments 22 has anopening 24 which is sealed with the breakable substrate 30. Thissubstrate 30 may be a paper-based substrate, a foil-based substrate, oranother material which is capable of being broken or punctured by theuser in a position over the openings 24, thereby allowing the user toaccess the medication held within the medication compartment 22. Thebreakable substrate 30 is positioned on the housing 20, such as by beingaffixed to the housing 20 with an adhesive or sealing technique, to sealthe medication within the medication compartments 22. When themedication is filled in each medication compartment 22 with thebreakable substrate 30 applied to the housing 20, the medication may behermetically sealed within the medication compartments 22 of the housing20.

The system 10 uses the sensor array 40 and the wireless tag 50 tomonitor when the medication is removed from the medication compartments22. Specifically, the sensor array 40 includes conductive lines whichare positioned spaced around the medication compartments 22 withindividual resistors 42 positioned over the openings 24 of themedication compartments 22. The sensor array 40 may be created byvarious techniques, such as by printing electrically conductive inkdirectly on to the breakable substrate 30, by forming the conductivelines on another substrate which is positioned abutting or substantiallyabutting the breakable substrate 30, or with other methods. The endresult may be the sensor array 40 formed with the resistors 42positioned over the openings 24, such that when the breakable substrate30 is punctured over the openings 24, the resistor 42 corresponding tothat opening 24 is severed.

The wireless tag 50 may be connectable to the sensor array 40, oftenremovably connectable such that the wireless tag 50 may be usedrepeatedly for subsequent blister packs. The wireless tag 50 has atransmitter 52 for transmitting signals externally from the wireless tag50, an accelerometer 54 for monitoring a movement or motion of thehousing 20, such as when it is moved by the user, and a sensing circuit56 including various circuitry for periodically scanning the sensorarray 40. For example, the sensing circuit 56 may scan the sensor array40 upon activation of the accelerometer 54 (e.g., upon movement of thehousing 20) to scan the operational state of each resistor 42 within thesensor array 40, which in turn can be indicative of whether medicationhas been removed from a medication compartment 22 corresponding to thatresistor 42. It may be common for the sensing circuit 56 to only scanthe sensor array 40 upon activation of the accelerometer 54 in order topreserve battery life of the wireless tag 50 in comparison to constantor periodic scans of the sensor array 40. In one of many alternatives,the sensing circuit 56 may scan the sensor array 40 at low-frequencyspaced intervals (e.g., one scan per 10 seconds) when the accelerometer54 is not activated and high-frequency spaced intervals (e.g., 10 scansper one second) when the accelerometer 54 is activated.

Initially, the sensing circuit 56 and/or processor 62 may detect whenthe wireless tag 50 is first connected to the sensor array 40, and itmay scan the sensor array 40 to determine if there is a good connectionby testing each resistor 42 and the size of the matrix of the sensorarray 40. The sensing circuit 56 may sense the number of rows andcolumns within the sensor array 40 to identify the size of the sensorarray 40. As an example, a 3×7 sensor array 40 may require ten contactsbetween the wireless tag 50 and the sensor array 40.

The scan may result in scanned sensor array data, which may include anydata pertinent to the sensor array 40 or the wireless tag 50 itself. Forexample, the scanned sensor array data may include an identification ofthe wireless tag 50, a functioning state of the wireless tag 50, a stateof each of the plurality of resistors 42 (e.g., whether each resistor 42is severed or not), a size of the sensor array 40, or a size of theblister pack, or other information. Identification of the wireless tag50 may also be retrieved using a serial number chip stored on the sensorpackage. Signals communicated can be used to read the serial number.While transmission of the scanned sensor array data may not be requiredafter each scan, the transmitter 52 may transmit the signal 58externally from the wireless tag 50 to communicate the scanned sensorarray data to another device, such as a mobile electronic device, aserver, or other database which stores or processes the scanned sensorarray data, as discussed further relative to FIG. 8.

The system 10 may include a number of additional features andcomponents. For example, as is shown in FIG. 1, the housing 20 may beperforated at perforation line 28 to allow for a portion of themedication compartments 22 to be separated or removed from the housing20 as a whole. The ability to separate a portion of the medicationcompartments 22 may allow a user to take a few days of medicationinstead of the entire housing 20 when they go on a weekend trip or otherexcursion where it may not be desirable to take the entire housing 20.The sensor array 40 may still be capable of operating after removal ofthe perforated portion of medication compartments 22.

FIG. 2 is a side view schematic illustration of the system for wirelessmedication compliance sensing 10 of FIG. 1, in accordance with the firstexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 2illustrates the detailed layers of the housing 20, the breakablesubstrate 30, and the sensor array 40 in one example. As is shown, thehousing 20 may form the top layer as a plastic bubble array having themedication compartment 22 integrally formed within the housing 20material. The sensor array 40 may be positioned as a middle layer,proximate or abutting the housing 20, and may be printed on a thin layerof material, such as a 2-millimeter or 3-millimeter layer of plastic.The breakable substrate 30 may be formed from a conventional foil-backedpaper, or similar material, and positioned as the bottom layer. Anadhesive, such as a pressure adhesive or thermal adhesive, may beapplied to all surfaces to hermetically seal the three materialstogether.

FIG. 3 is a top view schematic illustration of the sensor array 40 overan opening 24 in the system for wireless medication compliance sensing10 of FIG. 1, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure. As is shown, the sensor array 40 has a plurality ofconductive traces which are positioned proximate to the medicationcompartment 22 on the housing 20. The resistor 42 of the sensor array 40is electrically connected to the conductive traces of the sensor array40 and is positioned over the opening 24. A portion of the resistor 42,for example, the crossbar, not the electrically conductive portion, maybe cut at its ends 44 (e.g., a location along the resistor 42 where itis positioned at an edge of the opening 24) to allow the resistor 42 tobe easily severed. When the breakable substrate 30 is printed on aninsulating plastic material, the portion of the breakable substrate 30which contains the opening 24 may be die-cut to allow the user to easilygain access to the medication compartment 22, such as, for example, bypunching or forcing the portion of the breakable substrate 30 alignedwith the opening 24 until it severs along the die-cut outline (outlineof opening 24). The ends 44 of the resistor 42 are preferably alignedwith the die-cut outline to ensure the electrical circuit is severedwhen the patient accesses the medication compartment 22.

The manufacture of the sensor array 40 on the breakable substrate 30 mayvary. For example, when the sensor array 40 is printed on a plasticinsulating material which is die-cut, a final layer of material isrequired on the backside of the plastic insulating material to seal thesensor array 40 therein. This final layer may be a non-conductive layerwhich ensures successful sensor array 40 operation. In another example,the sensor array 40 may be printed on a paper-based breakable substrate30 (as shown in FIG. 6), where no additional layers to seal the sensorarray 40 are required. In any manufacturing process of the sensor array40 on breakable substrate 30, it may be desirable to ensure that alllayers of the breakable substrate 30 be easily punctured or ripped atthe location along the sensor array 40 to ensure circuit breakage.

The sensor array 40 with resistor 42 shown in FIG. 3 may be manufacturedwithout significant commonly used manufacturing processes, therebyproviding a system 10 with a sensor array 40 that can be fully testedbefore final assembly of the system 10 with the medication. In oneexample of manufacturing the sensor array 40, the conductors may firstbe printed in a high-conductive ink on the breakable substrate 30. Then,insulating cross overs may be printed where the horizontal and verticallines of the sensor array 40 cross. Resistors and cross over connections(on the insulating cross overs) may then be printed with resistive ink.A further description of the manufacturing process of the breakablesubstrate 30 and/or the sensor array 40 is provided relative to FIG. 6.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the sensor array 40 over openings24 in the system for wireless medication compliance sensing 10 of FIG.1, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. As is shown in FIG. 4, the sensor array 40 is positionedproximate to each opening 24, and a resistor 42 is positioned over eachopening 24. The sensor array 40 includes conductive traces formed ascolumns and rows, each of which is identified with a ‘1’ or ‘0’ in FIG.4. Similarly, each resistor 42 in FIG. 4 is labeled (e.g., R11, R12,R13, etc.). One benefit of the system 10 may be the ability to senseeach opening 24 individually, which is accomplished by scanning eachresistor 42 independently of other resistors 42 within the sensor array40. Prior art techniques to sense sensor arrays, such as those used incomputer keyboards, are incapable of sensing resistors 42 on anindividual level because only 1 to 3 keys can be closed simultaneously.In contrast, within the system 10, all locations may be closedinitially, and the sensing of each resistor 42 may be accomplished byopening each location as it needs to be detected. As an added benefit,this ability to sense locations individually can be done using verylittle power, thereby allowing the battery power of the wireless tag 50to run the sensing circuit 56 for a year or more on a single coin cell.The number of rows and verification of system connection in the arraycan be determined with an extra column connection with a resistorconnecting this column to each row.

It is also noted that the system 10 may include a sensor array 40 withadditional columns or rows of conductive traces. These additional rowsor columns may be considered a control—a control row or controlcolumn—for the sensor array 40 and allow the wireless tag 50 to sensethe size of the sensor array 40. FIG. 4, as an example, illustrates acontrol column 48 which is connected to the sensor array using resistorsR1S, R2S, and R3S. The control column 48 may allow for automaticdetection of the size of the sensor array 40, which may allow forautomatic identification of the size of the sensor array 40 when thewireless tag 50 is connected to it. Similarly, this control column orcontrol row may be used to detect when the wireless tag 50 is connectedto a new housing 20. The control column 48 may also be used to detectwhen a portion of the medication compartments 22, such as a column ofmedication compartments 22, are removed at a perforated line 28.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an equivalent circuit of thesensor array 40 of FIG. 4, in accordance with the first exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure. Relative to FIGS. 4-5, theoperation for scanning resistors 42 on an individual level is described.Specifically, FIG. 5 illustrates the situation where the center row ofthe sensor array 40 of FIG. 4 is driven low and all other rows andcolumns are driven high, as indicated by the ‘0’ and ‘1’ designations inFIG. 4, and the center column, identified as ‘Sense Col 2,’ is sensed.While the center row and column of the sensor array are used in thisexample, the same process is repeated for all rows and all columns inthe sensor array 40. Using this example, within FIG. 5, the goal is todetect the presence or not of resistor 42 identified as R22. If theresistor 42 is broken, the voltage sensed on column 2 is the high-levelvoltage. If the resistor 42 is in place, the voltage sensed at column 2is the voltage division ratio of (R12 and R32 in parallel) and R22. Ifthe resistors 42 are all of the same value, the measured voltage atSense Col2 would equal 0.667 times the voltage (0.667*V). If eitherresistor 42 identified as R12 or R32 is broken, then this voltage islower. The logic at each location is that if the voltage is below 0.667V(plus a tolerance margin), then this location can be identified as beingbroken, which is indicative of the corresponding medication compartmentbeing opened.

Using the process described relative to FIGS. 4-5, the sensing circuit56 (FIG. 1) may successfully scan the sensor array 40 to sense anoperation of each of the plurality of resistors 42 individually. It isnoted that the sensing circuit 56 (FIG. 1) may scan the sensor array 40at various increments, such as only once every minute or severalminutes. The scanning process will drive all the columns to a high level(1) except for one column, which will be sensed with an analog/digitalconverter. All rows will be driven to a high (1) except for one whichwill be driven to a low (0).

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of the sensor array 40 for a housing20 with a 3×7 array of medication compartment openings 24 in the systemfor wireless medication compliance sensing 10 of FIG. 1, in accordancewith the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Thesensor array 40 of FIG. 6 may be an example of a printed sensor array 40on a sheet of material prior to applying it to the housing 20, such asis shown in FIG. 1. The sensor array 40 can be printed in a multilayerprinting process wherein conductive traces are first printed, then aninsulating ink is printed at the crossover points, a carbon resistor 42is printed at the crossover points, and finally an overcoat layer isprinted to seal the sensor array 40. When this sensor array 40 isprinted and die-cut, locating holes may be punched to align this layerwith the housing 20 (FIG. 1) during final assembly. The sensor array 40may include a connector array 46 at a side of the sensor array 40 whichmay be connectable to the wireless tag 50, as is shown in FIG. 6. As apossible extension of the printing process, it may be possible to printthe transistors on the sensor array 40 to decode positions or forproviding a serial number or other identification of the sensor array40.

FIG. 7 is a schematic of the wireless tag 50 of the system for wirelessmedication compliance sensing 10, in accordance with the first exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure. The wireless tag 50 may include ahousing 60, which may provide the structure for holding other componentsof the wireless tag 50. The housing 60 may be constructed from a durablematerial, such as hardened plastic, fiberglass, metal, or another typeof material, and may substantially contain the wireless transmitter 52,a processor 62, and the accelerometer 54, along with other components ofthe wireless tag 50. The housing 60 may be sealable and resistant to theelements, such that it is water-resistant, dust-proof, and resistant toother environmental conditions.

The transmitter 52 may include a short-wavelength ultra-high frequency(UHF) radio wave wireless transmitter which transmits a plurality ofsignals in an ISM band of between 2.4 GHz to 2.485 GHz. Specifically,the wireless transmitter 52 may be a 2.4 GHz Digital Radio transceiverin communication with a printed circuit board (PCB) antenna 76. Theprocessor 62 may be coupled to transmitter 52. The processor 62 mayinclude a micro-controller unit (MCU) with Bluetooth® protocol enabled.One of the benefits is the use of the Bluetooth®-Low Energy protocolwhich uses a Bluetooth® beacon payload to periodically transmit thescanned sensor array data as well as other data, such as the device ID.This periodic transmission uses less battery power than other wirelessprotocols, which allows the wireless tag 50 to function for long periodsof time. The periodic beacon can also send out battery statusinformation as well as signal strength with the scanned sensor arraydata to a Bluetooth® receiver within an external device. Thus, uponreceipt of the beacon, the external device can detect that the wirelesstag 50 is operational and properly connected to the sensor array 40.Other wireless protocols, such as WiFi®, can also be used in someinstances.

The accelerometer 54 may be in communication with the processor 62,wherein the accelerometer 54 uses less than 10 μAh of power. Theaccelerometer 54 may include a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS)accelerometer in two-way communication with the processor 62. A battery71 may be positioned within the housing 60 and provide a quantity ofpower to the processor 62 and the accelerometer 54. The housing 60 mayalso include an indicator 70, a timer 72, and a sensor array input 90which is connected to the processor 62, which facilitates connection ofthe sensor array 40 (FIG. 1) to the wireless tag 50. The indicator 70may be a light-emitting diode (LED) indicator which is housed at leastpartially within the housing 60 but is visible from a position externalof the housing 60. The timer 72 may be integrated within the processor62.

The MCU may execute the Bluetooth® protocol from stored program code.The MCU may have permanent storage for a quantity of computer programsand can permanently store configuration and operating parameters of theBluetooth® protocol. To save power, the MCU is normally in a sleep statewhere it is not running any code. The MCU is woken up to run code eitherfrom an interrupt from one of the devices on the board or by an internaltimer. The MEMS accelerometer 54 is configured to detect various events:motion, double-tap, or orientation change. The MEMS accelerometer 54 maywake up the processor 62 by means of an interrupt request (IRQ) orinterrupt signal, and the MCU may send control parameters and read datafrom the accelerometer 54. Thus, upon detection of the event, the MEMSaccelerometer 54 generates an interrupt signal to the MCU which causesthe MCU to wake up from a sleep state and process the event.

The MCU may also wake up based on an internal timer 72. An antenna 76may be included for the MCU to transmit and receive radio frequency (RF)energy. The MCU may utilize power management to go to a low-power sleepstate. The wireless tag 50 may not perform a Bluetooth® connectionprotocol to transfer the sensor information, as it is normallytransmitting only using the beacon format. Thus, the client receiverdoes not have to be associated to the wireless tag 50 to receive theinformation.

The use of a single or double tap detected by the accelerometer 54 maybe used to signal an initial device configuration, may associate thewireless tag 50 with an asset by sending special signal code foridentification, and may allow a connection between Bluetooth® client andhost. The orientation of the wireless tag 50 when it is tapped is usedto either turn it on or off, and a different orientation used to turn itoff or on, respectively. When it is turned off, it is no longertransmitting RF packets. The turn-off function can be disabled when thedevice is configured. The configuration can optionally be locked andnever changed. A secure key code can be permanently stored; only clientsthat have the key code can connect and change the operating parameters.The Bluetooth® beacon repetition rate is changed to a higher rate upon adouble-tap for a period of time, and a code is sent as part of thebeacon to signal the double-tap. The double-tap connection to the clientcan be disabled with a configuration parameter. This preventsunauthorized changes to the device setup.

When the accelerometer 54 generates a motion detection interrupt, motiondetection can be enabled or disabled, motion sensitivity and axis ofacceleration can be configured, and an indicator 70 LED flashes to showthe motion has been detected. The Bluetooth® beacon repetition rate ischanged to a higher rate upon motion detection for a period of time, anda code is sent as part of the beacon to signal the motion detection. Themaximum amount of time in the motion detected state can be configured.This prevents the wireless tag 50 from using up the battery 71 when itis in motion for a long period of time, as in truck transport. Minimummotion off time may be provided before re-enabling motion detection,such as, for example, to prevent the motion state being entered everytime a truck carrying the asset tag 50 stops at a traffic light. Whenthe accelerometer 54 generates an interrupt due to a change inorientation, orientation changes can be configured and enabled, andorientation can change time delay configuration. The wireless tag 50 mayinclude a “panic” button input used to generate an interrupt to the MCU.

The rules and protocols that are used to operate the wireless tag 50 canbe configured to control the beacon transmission rate. These rules arebased on time and sensor inputs to provide an immediate alert status andthen to reduce the beacon repetition rate to lower battery 71 usage.When the wireless tag 50 is set to airplane mode of operation, it is nottransmitting beacons in normal operation; it is waiting for a signalfrom another device to start transmitting. After the beacons are sentfor a programmable period of time, the wireless tag 50 then goes back toa receive-only mode.

Depending on the battery 71 selected, the wireless tag 50 may operateover 5 years. In order to save power, the MCU must be in a sleep modemost of the time. The MCU may wake up from one of several sources:internal timer 72, interrupt from another device in the system, or froma sensor. The internal timer 72 is used to periodically transmit asignal or to monitor sensors or voltages. One of the possible sourcesfor the external interrupt wake-up is from a MEMS accelerometer 54. Theinternal timer 72 may be used for the MCU to wake up periodically andmonitor the sensor array 40 (FIG. 1) connected to the sensor array input90 which is connected to an analog-to-digital converter input.

FIG. 8 is a schematic of the system for wireless medication compliancesensing 10, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure. This figure illustrates a typical system connectionto transmit the data from the medication compliance system 10 to acomputerized device 12, such as a cellphone, a tablet computer, and/or adata bridge. As is shown, a plurality of wireless tags 50 may be usedwithin the system 10 in combination with one another and in combinationwith a computerized device 12. As is shown in FIG. 8, each of thewireless tags 50 may be secured to a housing 20 of a blister pack. Thewireless tag 50 may be secured to the housing 20 in a variety of ways,as is discussed relative to FIGS. 8-9. The transmitter 52 of thewireless tag 50 may transmit signals 58 to the computerized device 12,depicted as a smart phone, in a variety of ways. For example, in onedesign, the signal 58 may be transmitted externally from the wirelesstag 50 without pre-identification of the computerized device 12receiving it. In other words, the signal beacon can be transmitted toany available device located within the vicinity, which in turn, canidentify the signal 58.

The computerized device 12 may include any type of computer, computersystem, or other device utilizing a computer processor. For example, thecomputerized device 12 may include a personal computer (PC), a laptopcomputer, a notebook computer, a computerized smart phone, cellularphone, a PDA, a computerized tablet device, or another device. Commonly,the computerized device 12 may be a smart phone, such as an iPhone®, anAndroid™ phone, or any other cellular phone. Similarly, the computerizeddevice 12 may include an interface device, such as a gaming system or ahome automation device (e.g., a WINK® device), or any other computerizeddevice capable of receiving a signal 58. The computerized device 12 mayinclude a variety of hardware and software components, including one ormore processors, memory units, databases, and/or programs or softwareapplications, all of which are considered within the scope of thepresent disclosure. For example, the computerized device 12 may have acomputerized program installed within a memory device therein. Thecomputerized program may be any application software, which may bereferred to in the industry as an application, or simply an “app.”Current examples of these apps are commonly referred to by the entitythat creates, markets, or sells the app, such as Apps for iPhone® soldat an app store, or Google® apps. The app may include software code forperforming a single action or multiple, related actions or tasks. Theapp may be compatible with, or used in conjunction with, any other typeof system software, middle ware, or program.

The system 10 may be enabled with conventional hardware components andsoftware programs as well as specific apps installed within thecomputerized device 12 to receive the signal 58 transmitted from thewireless tag 50. For example, the signal 58 may be received on awireless receiver within the computerized device 12, such as aBluetooth® receiver, capable of receiving short-wavelength UHF radiowaves in an ISM band of between 2.4 GHz and 2.485 GHz. The functioningof the various components of the system 10 and the computerized device12 may utilize a combination of existing software within thecomputerized device 12 for transmitting and receiving the wirelesssignals 58. For example, conventional software may include softwareassociated with the functioning of Bluetooth® communication within thecomputerized device 12.

The computerized device 12, through the software operating thereon, mayprovide a graphical user interface (GUI) 16 or display that is capableof displaying information about the wireless tag 50. The GUI 16 of thecomputerized device 12 may include a listing or indexing of wirelesstags 50 that have been detected. Each of the wireless tags 50 maycorrespond to an item within the list displayed on the GUI 16, and eachitem displayed may have information indicative of the correspondingsystem 10. For example, each item displayed may have an identificationnumber of the wireless tag 50 and an indication of activation of thewireless tag 50, among other information. The indication of activationof the wireless tag 50 may be a color-coded system, whereby wirelesstags 50 that are currently activated (i.e., wireless tags 50 that haveaccelerometers 54 that are experiencing an activation) are identified inone color, whereas inactive wireless tags 50 are identified in adifferent color. The GUI 16 may further include other information aboutthe wireless tags 50, including a listing of the total number ofwireless tags 50 detected.

Although not required, there are system configurations where thewireless tag 50 can be monitored on a server 13 using a data bridge,where the server 13 receives information from the computerized device12. In this case, the data is forwarded to the server 13 over the databridge (e.g., standard network lines or wireless channels). The databasein the server 13 may be viewable using a standard web interface from anycomputer network, such as from a remotely positioned computer 14 whichhas a web browser for viewing the data. This data bridge may transferthe short-range signal 58 from the wireless tag 50 to the Internet wherethe data, including a data packet with ID, can be stored in a server 13database. The database may be viewed from any Internet-connected deviceusing a web browser when logged in to the server 13. At the server 13level, a timestamp of the receipt of the signal having the scanned datamay be logged or recorded. Performing this log at the server 13 levelmay allow the wireless tags 50 to be free from having to record timing,which may eliminate setup of the wireless tag 50 altogether. Thewireless tag 50 may transmit a beacon which contains the ID of thepackage plus additional sensor information. Alternatively, thesmartphone or bridge may add a timestamp to the data when it isforwarded to the server 13. In one example, the beacon may betransmitted every 10 seconds, repeating the same data each time. Thesmartphone or bridge may determine if there is a change in the datapacket and only send updates to the server 13 indicating a change in thenumber of medication usage.

The data received at the server 13 level can be reviewed, verified, orotherwise analyzed by various parties, including the medicalprofessional issuing the medication to the patient, to confirm that themedication was taken by the patient or not. If the data is indicative ofthe medication being used (or not used) in a way different from what wasprescribed by the medical professional, the system 10 can be configuredto send out alerts for non-compliance.

FIG. 9 is a side-view schematic illustration of the connectable wirelesstag 50 for use with the system for wireless medication compliancesensing 10, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 10 is a top view schematic illustration of theconnectable wireless tag 50 for use with the system for wirelessmedication compliance sensing 10, in accordance with the first exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure. Relative to FIGS. 9-10, thewireless tag 50 may be attached to the sensor array 40 on the housing 20using a variety of mechanical systems. For example, the wireless tag 50may be removably connectable to the sensor array 40 with a spring clipor spring-loaded hinged connection which is clipped on to a portion ofthe sensor array 40. When the wireless tag 50 mechanically clips on tothe sensor array 40, electrical contacts on the wireless tag 50 mayelectrically connect with the sensor array 40 to successfully facilitatean electrical connection between the two structures. The spring clip, asshown in FIG. 9, may include a wireless tag 50 with an upper portion anda lower portion and hinge therebetween. A spring or similar biasingelement may allow the upper and lower portions to close on the sensorarray 40 and remain biased in the closed position.

There are several other designs which may be used for attaching thewireless tag 50 to the sensor array 40. For example, a preferred methodmay be to have the wireless tag 50 slide on to the sensor array 40 withguides which align the contact on the wireless tag 50 to the printedcontacts on the senor array 40. A clam-shell like opening on the side ofthe wireless tag 50 may allow the user to slide it into place withoutany resistance. Snapping the wireless tag 50 closed may lock it onto thesensor array 40. A simple snap release may allow the wireless tag 50 tobe opened and removed from the sensor array 40 for reuse.

The wireless tag 50 may also utilize an alignment guide 66 for aligningthe wireless tag 50 to the sensor array 40. The alignment guide 66 mayinclude a guiding structure on the wireless tag 50 which aligns withpredetermined alignment holes 68 on the sensor array 40. To properlyalign the sensor array 40 to the wireless tag 50, the user may engagethe alignment holes 68 with posts of the alignment guide 66. Thisalignment may properly position conductive traces of the sensor array 40with the proper electrical contacts of the wireless tag 50.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart 100 of a method for wirelessly sensing medicationcompliance, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure. It should be noted that any process descriptions orblocks in flow charts should be understood as representing modules,segments, portions of code, or steps that include one or moreinstructions for implementing specific logical functions in the process,and alternate implementations are included within the scope of thepresent disclosure in which functions may be executed out of order fromthat shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or inreverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would beunderstood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the presentdisclosure.

As is shown in FIG. 11, a housing having a plurality of medicationcompartments is provided, where the housing has a breakable substratepositioned on at least one side thereof, wherein the breakable substratecovers an opening to the plurality of medication compartments (block102). A sensor array is interfaced with the breakable substrate on theat least one side of the housing, wherein the sensor array has aplurality of resistors, wherein one of the plurality of resistors ispositioned across one of the openings of the plurality of medicationcompartments (block 104). A wireless tag is connected to the sensorarray, wherein the wireless tag includes a transmitter, anaccelerometer, and a sensing circuit (block 106). The sensor array isscanned with the sensing circuit upon activation of the accelerometer(block 108). A signal is transmitted externally from the wireless tagwith the transmitter, wherein the signal has scanned sensor array data(block 110).

The method may include any number of additional steps, processes, orfunctions, including all disclosed within this disclosure. For example,the signal may be externally transmitted from the housing using thewireless transmitter transmitting the signal using short-wavelength UHFradio waves in an ISM band of between 2.4 GHz and 2.485 GHz. A quantityof power may be provided to at least the processor and theaccelerometer, wherein the accelerometer uses less than 10 μAh of thequantity of power. Scanning the sensor array with the sensing circuitupon activation of the accelerometer may include sensing a break in thebreakable substrate and one of the plurality of resistors over theopening to one of the plurality of medication compartments with awireless tag connectable to the sensor array. Scanning may also includeusing at least one of a control row and a control column to sense a sizeof the sensor array. Scanning the sensor array with the sensing circuitupon activation of the accelerometer may also include scanning thesensor array to sense an operation of each of the plurality of resistorsindividually.

After the signal with the scanned sensor array data is transmittedexternally from the wireless tag with the transmitter, the method mayoptionally include a number of other steps. For example, the scannedsensor array data may be forwarded from the data bridge to a server forprocessing or analysis of the scanned sensor array data. In one example,a medication compliance application may be used to analyze the scannedsensor array data relative to a predefined medication regiment todetermine whether the scanned sensor array data indicates compliance ornon-compliance between the patient's usage of the medication and thespecified regiment. The system may communicate various notifications tothe patient, to the prescribing medical professional, or to anotherparty, such as a caregiver, to indicate compliance with the medicationregiment or to indicate that further action is needed. The system canalso be used to send reminders to patients using automated electroniccommunications (text messages, e-mails, phone calls, etc.).

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of thepresent disclosure, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, aremerely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for aclear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variationsand modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) ofthe disclosure without departing substantially from the spirit andprinciples of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations areintended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure andthe present disclosure and protected by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wireless tag apparatus comprising: a sensingcircuit configured to scan a sensor array associated with a medicationdispenser external to the wireless tag apparatus to detect a change toan electrical circuitry of the sensor array corresponding to expulsionof contents of at least one medication compartment of the medicationdispenser, wherein the change to the electrical circuitry comprises abreakage of an electrically resistive element of the sensor arrayassociated with the at least one medication compartment; and atransmitter configured to transmit a first signal including datapertaining to whether the electrical circuitry of the sensor array hasso changed, wherein the first signal is a radio frequency (RF) signal.2. The wireless tag apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electricallyresistive element comprises at least one of a carbon resistor and anelectrically resistive ink.
 3. The wireless tag apparatus of claim 1,wherein the electrically resistive element is disposed over the at leastone medication compartment.
 4. The wireless tag apparatus of claim 3,wherein the medication dispenser comprises a blister pack.
 5. Thewireless tag apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the sensing circuit isfurther configured to scan the sensor array to determine whether eachindividual electrically resistive element of the sensor array isoperational; and the first signal further includes data pertaining towhether each individual electrically resistive element is operational.6. The wireless tag apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensing circuit isconfigured to scan the sensor array at a fixed time interval.
 7. Thewireless tag apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensing circuit isfurther configured to detect when the wireless tag apparatus isoperatively coupled with the sensor array.
 8. The wireless tag apparatusof claim 1, further comprising a timer configured to output a secondsignal periodically, in response to which the sensing circuit scans thesensor array.
 9. The wireless tag apparatus of claim 8, wherein thetimer is native to a processing element of the wireless tag apparatus.10. The wireless tag apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first signalfurther includes data pertaining to at least one of: an identificationof the wireless tag apparatus; whether the wireless tag apparatus isoperational; whether the sensor array is operational; whether thewireless tag apparatus and the sensor array are operatively coupled withone another; a size of the sensor array; a power level of a battery ofthe wireless tag apparatus; and a signal strength of the first signal.11. The wireless tag apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first signal isat least one of a Wi-Fi signal and a Bluetooth signal.
 12. The wirelesstag apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first signal is of a frequency inan ISM band of between 2.4-2.485 GHz.
 13. The wireless tag apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the firstsignal at least one of: periodically; after each scan of the sensorarray by the sensing circuit; after multiple consecutive scans of thesensor array by the sensing circuit; and after detection of the changeto the electrical circuitry of the sensor array by the sensing circuit.14. The wireless tag apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sensorconfigured to detect at least one of a movement of the wireless tagapparatus and an impact to the wireless tag apparatus.
 15. The wirelesstag apparatus of claim 14, wherein the sensing circuit is configured toscan the sensor array: at a first scan rate when the sensor has detectedthe at least one of the movement of the wireless tag apparatus and theimpact to the wireless tag apparatus; and at a second scan rate that islower than the first scan rate when the sensor has not detected at leastone of the movement of the wireless tag apparatus and the impact to thewireless tag apparatus.
 16. The wireless tag apparatus of claim 1,wherein the wireless tag apparatus is configured to clip onto at leastone of the sensor array, the medication dispenser, and the at least onemedication compartment.
 17. The wireless tag apparatus of claim 1,wherein the wireless tag apparatus is configured to slide onto at leastone of the sensor array, the medication dispenser, and the at least onemedication compartment.
 18. The wireless tag apparatus of claim 1,wherein the wireless tag apparatus is configured to operativelyinterface with a housing of the medication dispenser.
 19. A method ofmonitoring a medication dispenser, the method comprising: scanning asensor array associated with the medication dispenser to detect a changeto an electrical circuitry of the sensor array corresponding toexpulsion of contents of at least one medication compartment of themedication dispenser, wherein the change to the electrical circuitrycomprises a breakage of an electrically resistive element of the sensorarray associated with the at least one medication compartment; andtransmitting a first signal including data pertaining to whether theelectrical circuitry of the sensor array has so changed, wherein thefirst signal is a radio frequency (RF) signal.
 20. The method of claim19, wherein: the method further comprises scanning the sensor array todetermine whether each individual resistor of a plurality of resistorsof the sensor array is operational; and the first signal furtherincludes data pertaining to whether each individual resistor of theplurality of resistors is operational.
 21. The method of claim 19,wherein scanning the sensor array occurs at a fixed time interval. 22.The method of claim 19, wherein the first signal is at least one of aWi-Fi signal and a Bluetooth signal.
 23. The method of claim 22, whereinthe first signal is of a frequency in an ISM band of between 2.4-2.485GHz.
 24. The method of claim 19, wherein transmitting the first signaloccurs at least one of: periodically; after each scan of the sensorarray; after multiple consecutive scans of the sensor array; and afterdetection of the change to the electrical circuitry of the sensor array.25. The method of claim 19, wherein: the scanning is performed utilizinga sensing circuit of a wireless tag apparatus configured to operativelyinterface with the medication dispenser; and the transmitting isperformed utilizing a transmitter of the wireless tag apparatus.